One of the biggest concerns of aging is linked to the loss of autonomy derived from cognitive deterioration or serious conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia.
But while it's a common fear, cognitive decline
isn't a normal part of
brain aging.
In other words, one can grow old without suffering cognitive deterioration and among the people who do develop it, not all of them will evolve into dementia.
Between the decline in memory expected for age and the more serious impairment associated with dementia, there is an intermediate phase: mild cognitive impairment, which may include memory, language or judgment problems and which, it is estimated,
affects 10% to 20% of those over 65 years of age
.
What is mild cognitive impairment
"Mild cognitive impairment is a condition that causes people to have
more memory problems
or impaired thinking than is normal for someone their age. The symptoms of this condition are not as severe as those of Alzheimer's disease or some of related dementias", explain an article from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) of the United States.
And he adds that people with mild cognitive impairment can generally
care for themselves
and carry out their normal daily activities.
"There are cognitive impairments that are mild, that
do not have a great impact
on daily life. When this impairment impacts functionality, it becomes recognized as dementia," Guido Dorman, a neurologist at the University of Buenos Aires, said about it in an interview with Clarín. Ineco Memory Clinic.
What are the symptoms of mild cognitive impairment?
The picture is usually expressed with signs that include from
frequently losing things
to forgetting to attend important activities, appointments or events and having more difficulty expressing words than other people of the same age.
Usually,
family and friends
are the ones who notice these changes.
And many times they are associated with other pictures, such as depression, anxiety, aggressiveness and lack of interest.
Aging does not necessarily imply cognitive decline.
Photo Shutterstock.
Cognitive impairment: when to see a doctor
"Proper diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment is important because it becomes increasingly common as people age and is associated with increased
risk of progression to dementia
, suggesting that this condition reflects a disease state rather than normal cognitive aging", highlights the updated guideline of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) on mild cognitive impairment.
"Proper diagnosis is important to evaluate for
reversible causes
(eg, metabolic, vascular, systemic, or psychiatric disorders), to help patients and their families understand the cause of these problems, and to discuss prognostic possibilities," he says. The Guide.
And he stresses that while the diagnosis must be shared, it must be balanced against the potential harm of the anxieties of diagnosing a patient with a condition that
may not progress
.
Studies indicate that each year about 10% to 15% of people with mild cognitive impairment develop dementia.
What are the causes of mild cognitive impairment
There are many factors that can cause alterations in memory and thinking.
Age is just one of them (the risk increases with age), since genetics, certain conditions (diabetes, depression, and stroke, among others) and even adverse effects of medications can also increase the risk of developing cognitive impairment.
Likewise, emotional problems, excessive alcohol consumption, blood clots or tumors in the brain, or a head injury "can cause serious memory problems that can be resolved with treatment."
Some of these causes can be treated and thus improve the cognition problems associated with them, that is, the ability to think, learn and remember clearly.
However,
they cannot always be reversed
.
That is why specialists stress the importance of identifying the cause and thus defining the best action plan.
When to see the doctor
A medical consultation is suggested if the person or someone close to them notices that they have memory problems (such as remembering recent events) or difficulties thinking clearly.
Through different tests, the specialist can determine if the cause of memory problems is due to conditions that can be reversible with treatment.
"Although there is currently
no treatment or medication
for mild cognitive impairment, there are things you can do that could help you stay healthy and control changes in thinking," the NIA said.
And they emphasize that something that can benefit brain health is
keeping the mind active
.
In this sense, they suggest the following tips, "that can help you feel better, in addition to strengthening your memory":
✓Follow a
daily routine
.
✓Use
memory tools
such as calendars, to-do lists, and notes to yourself.
✓Place frequently used items
in the same place
every day.
✓
Learn a new skill
.
✓
Offer yourself as a volunteer
in institutions of your community.
✓Spend time with
family and friends
.
✓
Get plenty of sleep
, usually seven to eight hours each night.
✓
Exercise and eat right
.
✓If you drink,
do not consume too much alcohol
.
✓
Get help if you feel depressed
for several weeks in a row.
Regarding physical exercise in particular, although long-term studies are not available, the guide published by the AAN maintains that people with mild cognitive impairment
should be recommended to exercise at least twice a week,
since
it has benefits health conditions and a generally limited risk.
Exercise, one of the recommendations to strengthen memory.
Photo Shutterstock.
"Because mild cognitive impairment can be an early sign of a more serious memory problem, it's important to
see your doctor every 6 to 12 months
to closely monitor changes in memory and thinking over time." ", underlines the NIA article.
They also note that "many studies are recruiting people with mild cognitive impairment to test
early interventions
that could slow or stop the progression of the disease."
Along these lines are the results of a study carried out by researchers from the Yale School of Public Health, which concluded that older people with mild cognitive impairment were 30% more likely to recover normal cognition if they had adopted positive
beliefs
. about aging, compared to those who held a negative view.
"Most people assume there is no recovery from mild cognitive impairment, but in fact
half of those who have it recover
. Little is known about why some recover and others don't. That's why we looked at the positive beliefs about age, to see if they would help provide an answer," said Becca Levy, professor of public health and psychology and lead author of the study published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
Positive beliefs about aging
Levy's hypothesis was that positive age beliefs could play an important role in cognitive recovery because his previous experimental studies with older people found that such a posture
reduced stress
caused by cognitive challenges, increased self-confidence, and improved performance.
The new study is, he said, the first to find evidence that a culture-based factor -- positive beliefs about age -- contributes to recovery from mild cognitive impairment.
Older people in the positive belief group who began the study with normal cognition were less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment over the next 12 years than those in the negative belief group.
"Our previous research has shown that
age beliefs can be modified
; therefore, age belief interventions at the individual and societal levels could increase the number of people who experience cognitive recovery," Levy concluded of the results. NIA-funded study involving more than 1,700 people age 65 and older.
***
Do you want to read more about memory and neuroscience?
These notes may interest you:
➪Why memory is lost and how it changes over time: a neuroscientist answers common questions
➪Alzheimer's: how it differs from dementia, what the treatments aim for and how to reduce the risk, in 8 questions to an expert
➪Alzheimer's and Parkinson's: how language can help detect the first clues
➪What forgetfulness should worry us and how to take care of memory?
➪Dementia: three daily tasks that can help prevent it
***
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